ADA-Compliant Equipment

Shop ADA-compliant medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) for hospitals, clinics and medical practices: barrier-free exam chairs, accessible exam and procedure chairs, and wheelchair and stand-on scales from Midmark, UMF Medical and Health o meter.

New accessible medical equipment rules: are you prepared?

Federal rules from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) now require accessible medical diagnostic equipment, based on the U.S. Access Board (USAB) MDE standards. The first requirements cover exam tables and weight scales.

Key compliance deadlines

By these dates, a facility that uses exam tables or weight scales must have at least one accessible unit of each type it uses, meeting the 2017 USAB standards.

How many accessible units do you need?

• General healthcare facilities: 10% of each type of medical diagnostic equipment, or at least 1 accessible unit, whichever is greater.
• Facilities specializing in mobility rehabilitation: 20% of each type, or at least 1 accessible unit, whichever is greater.
• New purchases: equipment you buy must meet the accessibility standards until your facility reaches the required number for each equipment type.

Risks of non-compliance

• Required corrective action plans
• Loss or suspension of federal funding
• Federal civil monetary penalties
• Lawsuits and legal costs
• Reputational and operational risk
• Compromised patient care

What does ADA-compliant medical equipment look like?

Exam chairs, exam tables and procedure chairs

• Low transfer height: 17" maximum. HHS and DOJ currently enforce the 2017 standard of 17"–19"; the 2024 USAB update sets 17".
• High transfer height: at least 25".
• Additional transfer positions: 4 or more between the low and high heights, spaced at least 1" apart.
• Transfer surface: at least 21" wide by 17" deep.
• Transfer supports: at least 15" long, positioned 6"–19" above the transfer surface.
• Base: no wider than 26" at the edge of the transfer surface.
• Stirrups and leg supports: must support, position and secure the patient's legs.

Wheelchair scales

• Platform width: at least 36" (raised platforms up to 4" high may be 32" wide).
• Platform depth: 40" for pass-through, 48" for front or rear entry, 60" for side entry.
• Edge protection: 2" on the platform and ramps.
• Ramp slope: 1:12 maximum; 1:8 permitted for rises of 2.5" or less.

Stand-on scales

• Slip-resistant standing surface.
• Standing supports on both sides of the platform (dual-purpose pass-through wheelchair scales may have one support along the length of the platform).
• Handrail height of 34"–38" above the platform.

Dual-purpose scales must meet both the wheelchair and stand-on requirements.

How to prepare your facility

1. Inventory your current exam chairs, exam tables and scales.
2. Identify equipment that does not meet the accessibility standards.
3. Plan replacements or new purchases to meet your obligations.
4. Explore tax incentives and funding that may offset equipment costs.

Need help choosing compliant equipment or a quote for multiple rooms? Call Quince Medical at (973) 521-8769.

Download the one-page ADA medical equipment guide (PDF)

This information is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Which accessibility requirements apply depends on the type of provider, funding, facility, equipment and services involved.